Is otitis media with effusion almost always accompanying cleft palate in children?: The experience of 319 Asian patients

The incidence of OME accompanying cleft palate has decreased in Asian patients in the past 5 years. Tympanometry is not a very reliable tool for evaluating OME in children with cleft palate younger than 14 months, especially those younger than 9 months. Meticulous examination of the middle ear during palatoplasty is necessary for making a definite diagnosis and deciding on the use of a grommet.